Chapter 37

Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Saturday, July 8, 1921

Lucas had Declan drive him and MaKayla to their house on the hill. As they were driving up, they were both speechless. It looked so imposing on the hill, yet friendly and inviting. It was a farmhouse style, one they both liked. There was the biggest most encompassing wrap around porch that went around the entire house. Lucas laughed as he saw that Joseph had included quite a few rocking chairs on the porch.

As they opened the front door of the house, Lucas stopped MaKayla from entering. MaKayla turned to him. "Lucas what's the problem?" She asked questioningly.

"Nothing's the matter, doc. Just something I have to do first." Just then Lucas scooped MaKayla up in his arms and carried her over the threshold. "This is our forever home and I've been waiting to do this. Welcome home, Mrs. Bouchard." He said as he began to kiss her deeply as he gently put her down.

Now that they were inside, the first stop was a spacious front foyer, which opened into a large living area. The living room's entire back wall was made up of glass French doors, letting in light and all the beauty from the mountains and lake below. A huge stone fireplace was in the corner. Off of the living area was a large country kitchen complete with a pantry and a laundry room. Off of the laundry room was a small bathroom. The kitchen also had a stairway that led to the bedrooms upstairs. Another room off the living room was the library that Lucas would use as his office. It had a stone fireplace as well. Just off the foyer was another staircase that led to the upstairs bedrooms. A total of six bedrooms were upstairs.

Lucas and MaKayla walked into each bedroom marveling how every room had a beautiful view whether it was facing the front or back of the house. Lastly, they reached the master bedroom at the end of the hall. Lucas opened the door anxious for MaKayla to see the surprise he had for her in the master bathroom. He had a claw foot tub for two put in. As they walked in, he saw that a piece of furniture was left in the corner of the room. He walked closer to figure out what it was, he knelt down. He reached out and carefully caressed the words etched in the wood, 'Baby Bouchard'. As he looked in the cradle there was a baby blanket with a note in MaKayla's script that said, 'Baby Bouchard due to arrive January 1923."

Lucas knelt there unable to move. Until he heard her sweet voice. "Are you happy?"

He stood up turned around and took no time at all to reach her. He cradled her head in his hands. "We're going to have a baby. Our baby." He said as the tears streamed down both of their faces. He picked her up and twirled her around, then gently let her down.

"I guess this means you're happy?" She said with a giggle. "I thought it was time we got started on that dozen children you wanted." She said with a wink.

"MaKayla Bouchard, I love you." As he kissed with all the passion and love within him.

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Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Monday, July 17, 1922

"Good morning, Mrs. Bouchard. Time to wake up." Lucas said softly into her ear.

"Hmm, this is a very pleasant way to wake up." She said as she reached up to kiss him. "What time is it?" She asked as a yawn escaped.

"It's 9 a.m." Lucas said casually as MaKayla bolted up in bed.

"Lucas, I need to get to the infirmary. Where is Lilly?" She asked a little out of sorts.

"Relax Doc. I gave Lilly breakfast and took her to daycare. I called Molly and there are no appointments scheduled at the infirmary till 11 a.m. I explained to Molly you were tired from all the fun you had at the wedding the other day." He told her as he decided to lay down next to her.

MaKayla laid back down. "It was such a lovely wedding." MaKayla said dreamily. "Everything was very simple yet perfectly Faith. Just the way they both wanted it. Faith was such a beautiful bride, she was glowing. And Nathan… was so nervous, it was comical." She laughed softly as she snuggled into his side.

"Yes," Lucas said with a laugh, "Nathan took nervous groom to new heights. I thought for sure he was going to pass out at the altar. Bill and I had a hard time keeping him calm. But once he said his vows, he relaxed, thankfully."

"I was hoping Elizabeth would catch Faith's bouquet but she wasn't really trying. Jenny Windham had no choice but to catch it even though I was sure Faith was aiming at Elizabeth." MaKayla told him.

"Is there a reason you wanted Elizabeth to catch the bouquet? Are you trying to marry her off? Lucas asked quizzically She isn't even dating anyone as far as I know." He told her.

"No, it's just that I would like to see her happy. We are so happy and expecting our first child. I just don't like thinking my happiness was at her expense." MaKayla said a little sadly.

Lucas sat up at that statement. "MaKayla Bouchard, listen to me. Elizabeth had me. I was in love, ready to commit to a lifetime with her. She is the one who ended things. She is the one who thought Nathan was the one she loved. She had me doubting myself and…well I don't need to go into all that. I'm happy that you care what happens to Elizabeth and that we can all co-exist nicely with each other. But I don't want you to ever think that your happiness came at Elizabeth's expense." He told her emphatically.

MaKayla smiled at her husband and so grateful for his words. "I think it's just the pregnancy hormones. You better get used to it. My emotions will be all over the place until the baby comes."

Lucas laid back down. "Duly noted doc. Watch for pregnancy hormones. Oh boy. I think I'm in for a wild ride these next several months." He told her as they cuddled tighter together.

"I have some other pretty exciting news for you." Lucas told her.

"Do tell, governor. What could be more exciting than our having a baby and Faith and Nathan's wedding?" She asked quizzically as Lucas gently caress her stomach at the mention of the baby again.

"I didn't say anything before, because I didn't want to get your hopes up. But when Andrew was here for our wedding, I offered him a business opportunity right here in Hope Valley. I received a letter from him today and he has accepted." Lucas told her happily.

"You mean Andrew is going to leave the RAF and move here to Hope Valley? What business opportunity did you offer him?" MaKayla was wide awake now and sitting up.

"He's going to open a small airport here. I have some land and we are going to be business partners. Although I will be a silent partner for now. He should be here in late September." Lucas told her happily.

"Lucas, this is such wonderful news." She said as she gave him a big kiss. "I can't believe he agreed to it though. Hope Valley seems a bit slower pace than Andrew generally likes." She said surprised.

"I think Jenny Windham might have something to do with that. They have been corresponding you know." Lucas told her.

"Jenny Windham and Andrew?" And how do you know this?" MaKayla asked

"Well, Andrew and I are brothers now. And as such, we talk." He said with a cocky grin and a wink.

"I can see the two of you together are going to be trouble." MaKayla told him happily. "But Jenny? I thought for sure he was interested in Elizabeth but was playing it cool. You know because of your previous relationship with her." She said thoughtfully.

"Andrew has not mentioned Elizabeth to me at all, just Jenny." Lucas told her succinctly.

"I know it would have been a bit awkward at first but I don't know. I thought they might have been good together." MaKayla said but she could see that Lucas didn't agree. Probably better this way, MaKayla thought.

"What time are you picking Carson up at train station?" MaKayla asked

"Not till 2 p.m. It was nice of him to offer to fill in at the infirmary while both you and Faith are away." Lucas said.

"Yes, he was eager to do it. He wanted to get reacquainted with things around here since he's been away so long." MaKayla said as she finally made her way out of the bed to get ready for the day.

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Hope Valley, Alberta Canada

Wednesday, July 26, 1922

Lucas was sitting on his back porch in one of the rocking chairs taking a break from sorting through all the stuff that the men had brought over from his old house to the new house. As he sat on the porch relaxing with a glass of lemonade, he marveled at the view. Just then he heard a horse ride up the hill. It was Elizabeth on Sargent.

"Lucas." Elizabeth said. "I went by the saloon and Mike told me you had gone home for the afternoon. I hope you don't mind my stopping by. If you have time I would like to talk to you."

"No problem, I always enjoy your company. I was just taking a break from sorting through all the boxes that the men brought over this morning. Can I get you a drink of lemonade?" He asked.

She smiled at him. "Yes, that would be nice. It is a hot one today." She said as she patted the perspiration from her neck. Lucas got up and went into the house.

He returned and handed her the lemonade as she sat in a rocking chair. "So, what's on your mind?" He asked anxiously.

"I wanted to talk to you about Jack going to New York with you and MaKayla." She said quietly.

"Lucas…" She trailed off really not sure how to say what she wanted too. "Lucas, I feel like I'm losing my son to you and MaKayla. You're all he talks about. He loves visiting you in Capital City, when you're here he wants to spend the night at your house. And well, if I let him take this trip with you, I feel like it will only get worse." She said sadly. Lucas wondered where she was going with this train of thought.

"I see." Lucas said. But honestly, he didn't. "Elizabeth, are you trying to tell me you want me to stop seeing Jack and tell him I can no longer be his Papa?" He asked holding his breath.

Elizabeth stared at him in disbelief. He didn't understand, she thought. "No, no that isn't what I want at all. But I also don't know how to fix how I'm feeling." She said with melancholy.

"You told me when you tossed your hat into the ring to run for governor, that you would make it work and two years later I see that you have. You spend just as much time here in Hope Valley as you do in Capital City. You are still very much a part of this community. Every day I'm filled with regret that I couldn't see what could've been. I tossed you away because of my fear of letting go and now I'm afraid that it will cost me my son as well." She got up from her chair and started pacing around.

"I'm standing still while you've moved on. You've recovered your health, you're in a loving happy marriage, you're thriving at being governor. My goodness, even Nathan has moved on. Yet, here I am still grieving the past and keeping my world very small." She said sadly.

"Elizabeth, just because your world is small now, doesn't mean it has to continue to be that way. Are you writing a new novel yet?" He asked.

She lowered her head, "No, my next novel was going to be about finding new love with you. And we all know how that turned out. What would be the point? She said morosely.

"Ok, let's start smaller. The government has money in the education budget for some special projects. How about if I allocated money for you to work on the book wagon that you once talked about. Once upon a time you were so passionate about bringing books to the people up in the hills." He told her with sincerity.

"You could probably get Jack excited to work with you on it. You can't change the past so you need to stop dwelling on it. You're still a vital young woman who has a lot to offer. You just have to stop focusing on your past with me… and with Jack. Neither one of us want you to continue to mourn what was and will never be again." He told her confidently.

"You sound so sure." She said softly.

"I am sure. You aren't losing your son; he wants to spend time with you but he also doesn't want to see his mother sad all the time. Honestly, Elizabeth, Jack Sr. wouldn't want this kind of life for you just because he's no longer here. Your son needs both of us, not just you, and certainly not just me. But he is a boy and as such there will be times when he will need a father figure perhaps a little more than his mother. But if it is what you truly want, I will step away. Although I do not think that would be the best thing for Jack. It would truly break my heart to do so, but I would do it. You know I've only ever wanted your happiness." He told her with sadness.

"No, I don't want that. You're the only father figure Jack has ever known. I'm forever grateful that you love him enough to want to be his Papa. I know you're right Lucas. Are you serious about the book wagon?" She asked tentatively.

"Absolutely, I can talk to my director of education tomorrow." He told her with a smile.

She returned his smile. "Thank you. I know I need to get unstuck and maybe the book wagon is a good start. Also, Jack can go to New York with you and MaKayla. I know he will have a wonderful time."

"Elizabeth, there is one more thing I need to tell you." He said hesitantly. "MaKayla and I are going to have a baby. We are going to stop in Montreal on our way to New York to tell my parents. Then share the happy news with her family when we get to New York. I would like to tell Jack while we are on our trip." He said obviously happy about his new impending fatherhood.

Elizabeth stared at him; it wasn't like she wasn't expecting an announcement like this at some point. "Lucas, I'm very happy for you. Both of you. I know how much you have always wanted children of your own. Are you sure this won't change things regarding Jack?" She asked uncertainly.

"Absolutely not. MaKayla and I have discussed this. Jack will make a wonderful big brother. I plan to make sure he understands that nothing will change between us. Elizabeth, do you honestly think that I'm that shallow?" He asked her upset that she would think he would abandon Jack simply because he and MaKayla were expecting a little one of their own.

"Are you really sure?" She said quietly.

"Elizabeth, please trust me." Lucas said with pleading eyes. She smiled back at him. She did trust Lucas. He had always been honest with her. He had never let her or Jack down, unfortunately it was the other way around.

"I do trust you. I know it hasn't always seemed that way but I do." She told him with a smile.

"Do you promise there will be no more talk of me not being in Jack's life?" He asked hoping they were on the same page.

Elizabeth looked at him for a long moment as all the times Lucas had spent with Jack flashed before her eyes. "If you would allow, I'm going to ask Bill to draw up new guardianship papers. If anything happens to me, you would be Jack's guardian." She told him with deep sincerity.

"You mean it?" Lucas asked shocked, although hoping that nothing would ever befall Elizabeth.

She smiled. The first genuine smile he had seen from her in such a long time. "I mean it Lucas. I truly do."

"Is it alright if I congratulate MaKayla?" She asked him as she stood up to leave.

"Sure, she is working at the infirmary today. I'm glad you stopped by and we had this talk. I hope that I have helped to ease some of your fears." He told her as he also stood.

Elizabeth gave him a soft smile. "Yes, I will no longer fret about losing Jack to you. When it comes to Jack, we are still a team and always will be. I know that you only want what's best for him." She hesitated a moment, but then reached over and gave him a hug. "Thank you, Lucas." She whispered in his ear. She got back on Sargent and waved goodbye.

Lucas watched as she rode away. He sighed. He just hoped that she would indeed find her way.

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Montreal Quebec, Canada

Thursday, August 3, 1922

The four of them had arrived in Montreal the previous day. Lucas had planned a special dinner at his favorite restaurant for tonight to tell his parents about the baby. But first he had to let Jack know. He had to admit he was nervous; he didn't want the little boy to feel threatened by the news of their impending bundle of joy.

Lucas decided to take him to nearby Dominion Park, an amusement park, just the two of them. They had musical performances, vaudeville shows, circus act and of course rides. While he and Jack were at the park, Helen, MaKayla and Lilly were going to go downtown and do some shopping.

Once at the park, Jack and Lucas particularly enjoyed the circus act. Jack had never been to a circus before and was quite taken by the elephants. "They are the biggest animal I have ever seen." Jack told Lucas excitedly.

"How did you like the baby elephants?" Lucas asked with anticipation.

"They were cute." Jack told him. "They couldn't do as much as the big elephants but the big elephants were helping them." Jack told him seriously.

"Yes, they did." Lucas told him with a smile.

They then went on the carrousel ride and a ride called a teacup. The teacup ride made Lucas a bit nauseous but Jack didn't even seem to notice. They finally ended up at the game arcade area.

"When you were just a baby," Lucas told Jack. "I won you a stuffed bear cub at the Founders Day Festival. What would you like me to win for you today?" Lucas asked curiously.

"Can you try to win an elephant?" Jack asked excitedly. Lucas smiled; he would do his best. His best shot of winning a toy was at the ring toss so off they went.

Lucas hadn't lost his touch and won Jack a small elephant on his first try. Lucas went again as he wanted to win one of the bigger elephants as well. It took several more go rounds but he succeeded in winning a second larger elephant. He chuckled to himself; this would do nicely he thought.

"Jack, would you like to sit and get some ice cream?" Lucas inquired, knowing full well Jack could never turn down ice cream. Jack jumped up and down in excitement.

Once they had their ice cream they sat down on a bench together. "Jack there is something that I wanted to talk to you about." Lucas began as his nervousness ramped up. "I have some really happy news to share with you."

Jack looked at him with a smile. "Auntie MaKayla and I are going to have a baby. You get to be a big brother." Lucas said excitedly, as he instantly saw Jack's smile turn to a frown.

His sweet blue eyes filled with tears. "A baby. Now you won't want to be my Papa anymore." The little boy said wiping the tears from his eyes.

"Oh Jack, that's not true. Why would you even say that?" Lucas asked softly.

Jacks sniffled and finally said. "Because I'm not your real kid and now you're going to have a real kid." He said sadly.

"Jack, can you tell me what a real kid is?" Lucas asked gently.

Jack thought for a minute. "A real kid is when the mommy and daddy are married and live in the same house like you and Auntie MaKayla. You and Mama aren't married and you don't live with us." He said sadly. Lucas could not argue with those facts.

"Well, your daddy Jack doesn't live with you and your Mama but he's still your daddy. He's just in heaven. And you love your daddy Jack just as much as you love me, right?" Lucas asked the little boy.

"I love you both. He's my daddy in heaven and you're my daddy here." Jack told him.

"So how come you think I can't love the new baby and you the same?" Lucas asked curiously.

Jack looked at him for a minute. "Well, me and the baby will both be here and you can see both of us. The baby is your real kid and I'm not because the baby will live in your house all the time." Jack said sadly again trying to hold back the tears.

"Jack, do you know what makes you my real kid?" Lucas asked the little boy as he shook his head no. "What makes you my real kid is what is in my heart," Lucas said while pointing to his chest. It has nothing to do with biology or where we live or if I'm married to your Mama." He told him.

Jack looked at him quizzically. "What is biology?" Lucas laughed.

"Sorry, I guess that was a big word. You are very special to me Jack Thornton Jr. and no matter how many children Auntie MaKayla and I have you will always be my son because all that matters is what you and I feel in our hearts. If your Mama gets married to someone else someday, are you going to love me less?" He asked.

"Oh no, never Papa. I want you to always be my Papa." Jack said firmly as he went to sit on Lucas's lap.

"And I want to always be your Papa. That is what makes you and me so special, we chose each other. And no new baby can ever take that away from us. I promise Jack. The only thing that changes is that now you get to be a big brother. Just like we saw with the elephants. The big elephants helped the baby elephants. Auntie MaKayla and I need you to help us with the new baby, because you're the big brother." Lucas told Jack as he wrapped his arms tight around Lucas's neck.

"I love you Papa, and I'm going to love the baby too. I would like a little brother." Jack said.

"Well, we will do our best, but it might be a little sister. So can you love a little girl too?"

Jack nodded his head yes. "But I would really like a brother, so I can play baseball with him." Jack told him seriously.

"I'll do my best, Jack." He told him with a chuckle. Lucas hoped that Jack was feeling secure but he would continue to make sure that he understood just how important and loved he was by both MaKayla and him.

When they arrived back at the house, everyone was there. Jack went to change his clothes and Lucas did the same.

As he entered their bedroom, MaKayla was getting ready for dinner. "How did it go?" MaKayla asked.

"He was afraid I wouldn't want to be his Papa anymore with the new baby coming. But we talked it out and he seems good with everything." Lucas told her with a smile. "But…" he said as he took her in his arms. "He wants a little brother."

"Oh, he does, does he? Well, let's hope he gets his wish. MaKayla said with a laugh. Turning serious, "I promise Lucas I will do everything I can to make sure Jack still feels included in our family." MaKayla told him as she wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed him deeply.

"And that doc, is one of the reasons I love you so much." As Lucas kissed her again and then knelt down to kiss her stomach. "And I love you too, little one."

Lucas, MaKayla, the two children along with his parents were having a lovely dinner when Lucas said he had something he wanted to talk to them about. Lucas then turned to Jack. "Jack, can you tell my parents our exciting news?"

Jack smiled at Lucas's parents. "I'm going to be a big brother." He said happily.